Mangaluru: The 450th birth anniversary of St. Aloysius of Gonzaga was celebrated with both devotion and gaiety by the Jesuits of the Mangalore Jesuit Educational Society (MJES) on Sunday 19th August, and for good reason – He is the patron saint of the Jesuits and their founder and naturally the patron saint of the St. Aloysius Institutions in Mangalore. He is also revered by students the world over.
The celebrations began with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist at 5.00 PM by the Archbishop of Bengaluru, Rev. Fr. Peter Machado, along with several other clergy – Mangalore Diocese Bishop-Elect, Rev. Fr. Peter Paul Saldanha, Fr. Dionysius Vas, Rector, St. Aloysius Institutions, Msgr. Denis Moras Prabhu, Vicar General, Mangalore Diocese, Fr. Denzil Lobo SJ former Rector and Secretary, MJES and Fr. Leo D’Souza SJ, former rector of the St. Aloysius Institutions. The Mass was held at the historic St. Aloysius Chapel and was very well attended. During the Mass, the main celebrant, the Archbishop of Bengaluru reiterated what perhaps all in the chapel felt: “St. Aloysius inspired us to a way of life. St. Aloysius Institutions in turn is not just an institution, but an inspiration to all”.
Following the mass the gathering including others who could not attend the mass gathered at the St. Aloysius High School Hall. They included staff and students of the St. Aloysius Institutions, priest and nuns from around the Mangalore diocese, benefactors and well-wishers.
The celebrations began with a prayer dance by the students of the St. Aloysius High School followed by a welcome dance by students of the St. Aloysius Higher Primary school.
Fr. Dionysius Vas SJ, the Rector of the St. Aloysius Institutions in Mangalore, then formally welcomed the dignitaries on the Dais Dr. M. R Ravi, CEO DK Zilla Panchayat, Shri Clarence Pais, Dr. Celine Lobo and Shri Michael D’Souza besides the Archbishop of Bengaluru, Rev. Fr. Peter Machado and the Bishop Elect of Mangaluru Rev. Fr. Peter Paul Saldanha.
The Archbishop of Bengaluru, Mangaluru Bishop Elect and Dr. M. R. Ravi were honoured on the occasion.
The DK Zilla Panchayat won the Swachata Darpan Award for cleanliness given by the Union Government during his tenure. He is also a thinker and a writer. His article “Ellaru Doctor, Engineer adare, berevrithigala Paadenu?”
The three other dignitaries too were honoured with citations for their selfless services to society. The citations were read out by Fr. Praveen Martis SJ, Principal St, Aloysius Degree College, Rev. Fr. Pradeep Sequeira SJ, Finance officer St. Aloysius Degree College and Rev. Fr. Denzil Lobo SJ, Director AIMIT, Beery.
The Archbishop of Bengaluru said the three D’s, Devotion, Dedication and Discipline are the hall marks of the Jesuit Community and their institutions and students should be proud to have received education from the St. Aloysius Institutions which imparts these values and virtues in its education. The Bishop Elect of the Mangalore Diocese said that youth are the key today and the St. Aloysius Institutions have shown the light and way forward to many youth. They must follow in the footsteps of St. Aloysius and serve others.
Dr. M R Ravi quoted Swami Vivekananda, “ A shoemaker who can turn out a strong, nice pair of shoes in the shortest possible time is a better man, according to his profession and his work, than a professor who talks nonsense every day of his life”. He was making the point that education is not all that is needed, but what is required is better character, morality, discipline and a sense of service.
A book by Ms Rose Veera D’Sozua, – Associate Professor, St. Aloysius College, entitled “in Harmony with life reflecting care and concern – Volume II was released by Fr. Saldanha on the occasion.
Fr. Gerald Furtado SJ, Principal of St. Aloysius High school delivered the vote of thanks. The programme was compered by Ms Ashwini N. Professor of Biology, St. Aloysius College.
The formal programme was followed by a cultural programme – a skit on the life of St. Aloysius Gonzaga (detailed below) by the students and staff of St. Aloysius Degree College and a thematic dance capturing his life’s essence by the staff and students of St. Aloysius Pre University College. They were not only enjoyed but also appreciated by all for their message.
Who is St. Aloysius of Gonzaga?
St. Aloysius Gonzaga was the firstborn (9th March 1598) in a powerful Italian noble family, one that was deeply involved in the ongoing business of dealing and double-dealing, treachery and betrayal that marked the political life of the time. Aloysius was thrust into adult responsibilities at the age of four when he began his training as a soldier and courtier. At the age of eight he served in the court of Grand Duke Francesco I de’Medici. Aloysius Gonzaga began to suffer from kidney disease, and in the process of recovery spent time in spiritual reading and prayer.
At the age of nine Gonzaga made a private vow of chastity.
The political intrigue and corruption surrounding Aloysius would take the lives of two of his brothers, but he had strong spiritual allies. Aloysius Gonzaga received his first Holy Communion from St. Charles Borromeo. Aloysius also began to teach catechism to young boys.
Much to the displeasure and anger of his father, Aloysius announced his intention to become a Jesuit. His family tried to convince him to be a secular priest so that they could “buy” him a bishopric. Aloysius was adamant, and at the age of 18 he signed away his legal claim to his family lands and title.
In 1585 Aloysius was accepted as a Jesuit novice. In Rome his spiritual director was St. Robert Bellarmine, who counselled Gonzaga to spend less time in private devotions and more time befriending and counselling his companions. Never in good health, Aloysius successfully continued his studies.
When the plague hit Rome in 1591 he actively cared for the sick. Aloysius developed the symptoms of the plague and died soon after on June 21, 1591. Aloysius Gonzaga was canonized in 1726 and named Patron of All Students in 1729.
